It could have been a landmark case. Ryan Wellings was the first man to have been put before a jury to determine whether he was guilty of the manslaughter of a woman he relentlessly abused.
Only one man has been jailed for the offence of manslaughter following the suicide of his partner after domestic abuse – and he pleaded guilty.
In July 2017, Nicholas Allen, 47, from Upminster, was jailed for 10 years after his partner Justene Reece took her own life as a direct result of his abuse. Before her death, Ms Allen left a note saying she had “run out of fight” after years of coercive control, stalking and harassment from Allen.
He was sentenced to 15 years, including a five year extended licence, for the unlawful killing and abuse of Ms Reece.
Nicholas Allen
(Image: PA)
Petition for change
Last year, a petition calling for a statutory offence of manslaughter following coercive control reached 17,850 signatures, and was passed to parliament for debate. But in January 2024, the Government responded, stating the current laws are sufficient to prosecute abusers whose victims take their own lives as a result of their crimes.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “A central issue in relation to an allegation of manslaughter in the context of a person taking their own life is whether an unlawful act caused the death.
“In the context of coercive and controlling behaviour, the unlawful act could be the last instance of abuse – the so-called ‘final straw’ – or it could be a course of conduct involving numerous instances of unlawful abuse.”
Kiena Dawes
On July 22, 2022, Kiena Dawes dropped her baby daughter off at a friend’s house before taking her own life. In a note on her mobile phone, she said: “Ryan Wellings killed me.”
But the jury disagreed. Kiena, 23, was vulnerable to suicide – and the trial heard this had been a fact made clear to Wellings at several points during their relationship. The hairdresser had a diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) which caused extreme emotional swings and fear of abandonment.
She was first referred to mental health services at the age of 14 and had spent two periods of time in hospital due to her difficulties. Her medical records revealed she had made a number of attempts on her own life – on some occasions before she had met Wellings.
‘Kiena was open about her struggles’
Kiena was open about her struggles and when she and Wellings met, her brother Kynan also spoke to Wellings about his sister’s vulnerability. Regardless, Wellings taunted his partner about her mental health, calling her names and saying no-one would believe her, as she was mentally unwell.
Less than three weeks before Kiena died, Wellings went to the scene of a road accident in Poulton, where Kiena was so distracted by suicidal thoughts she did not notice the car in front and drove straight into it.
In the witness box, Wellings said Kiena was “very poorly” – using this as his defence. He said his relationship with Kiena was the best he had ever had, and claimed Kiena ‘exaggerated’ or ‘fully made up’ allegations he abused and assaulted her. But the jury saw straight through those lies.
On July 11, 2022, the landscaper assaulted Kiena when she did no more than move a piece of sandpaper from the floor of their flat in Fleetwood. During the row, Wellings told the jury he ‘sat Kiena down like a dog’, saying if she was going to act like a dog, she could sit down like a dog. He also called her a fat slag, he said.
‘The straw that broke the camel’s back?’
Kiena suffered a head injury which needed to be treated in hospital after being assaulted by Ryan Wellings on July 11, 2022
(Image: Lancs Police)
Kiena was so badly injured she needed to be treated in hospital. As she shouted for help, blood pouring from her head, Wellings got in a taxi and left, telling Kiena it was her fault. Just 11 days later the young mum was dead.
The jury was asked to decide whether Wellings’ ongoing abuse of Kiena ‘weakened the camel’s back’ and whether the assault on July 11 was the straw that broke it.
In the face of the evidence, the seven women and five men were clear in their view that despite his denials, Wellings did indeed abuse Kiena throughout their two year relationship – and intentionally assaulted her on July 11.
However they could not say beyond reasonable doubt that this treatment was the cause of Kiena’s death. He was unanimously cleared of her manslaughter.
Police response to verdict
Kiena Dawes
(Image: Facebook)
DCI Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police, said: “Kiena Dawes was a devoted and loving mother who, despite her personal challenges, was determined to give her baby girl the best life she could.
“Ryan Wellings took Kiena’s love and in return launched a concerted campaign of emotional, mental and physical abuse. Over a two-and-a-half-year period, Wellings broke her spirit.
“He isolated Kiena, belittled and abused her, controlled her, subjected her to violence and made her believe that she would never escape him.
“I would like to thank the jury for their considered verdict in what has been an extremely harrowing and complex case. While we and Kiena’s family are disappointed that they didn’t come back with a manslaughter verdict, we are pleased the jury recognised that Wellings was guilty of criminal wrongdoing by the guilty verdicts they did come back with today.
“I want to praise the Dawes’ family for the dignified manner in which they have behaved during this highly emotional trial. Day after day they have sat in court and listened to the truly abhorrent way in which Wellings behaved towards Kiena.
“While lessons will undoubtedly be learned from this case, I want to take this opportunity to appeal directly to anyone who finds themself in an abusive relationship or knows or suspects someone else might be. Please make contact with the authorities or reach out to domestic abuse organisations for help and support.
“Although today’s headlines will understandably be about Ryan Wellings and today’s verdict, I don’t want Kiena, the victim, to get lost or forgotten about. Kiena was a fun-loving, kind and sensitive young woman who had her whole life ahead of her. She was a mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend who died in extremely tragic circumstances.”
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